Tire pressures for driving in snow?
12-12-2003, 09:05 AM
#1
Tire pressures for driving in snow?
Any suggested changes from norm? I tend to run higher pressures than what is listed in the manual. I'm running 33 PSI at all corners right now. Tomorrow we leave for a long weekend trip that likely will involve some snowey conditions. Thoughts on whther to raise or lower the pressure? Right now the car has Kumho HP4 all season tires in size 185/60/14 on the stock ronal wheels (removed the 15" Borbet E Types a week or two ago, stored for the winter).
12-12-2003, 10:16 AM
#2
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I think you should be running higher than that with the HP4's for highway driving
I run mine near 40psi on the stock ronal's... It's not so much about what the manual says they should be at, it's what the tire manufacturer reccomends. Read the sidewall of the tire...
12-12-2003, 11:05 AM
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Re: Tire pressures for driving in snow?
harder tires work better in snow - it keeps the tread blocks open for releasing the snow - you need to keep the cold tire pressure 3-5 psi lower than the max sidewall to allow for thermal expansion ie if the tire says 41 PSI max, 35-37 cold will do you... If the tire says like 51 (like some V rated tires) you have room to move up. I tend to run 36-38 PSI cold on all corners of my 4KQ on tires with a max cold pressure of 41 and 38-39 PSI on my volvo which has Gislaved snows with a max CTP of 44 PSI. Never owned snows for the Audi...
12-12-2003, 12:13 PM
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Re: True... Well in any case, my car seems to handle better with the tires near maximum
It may seem to handle better but I doubt that it does. Higher inflation pressure will decrease tire roll, but it also may decrease the contact patch. Winter inflation pressure should only change due to the temperature in my opinion....
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12-12-2003, 03:43 PM
#9
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I was using all weather tires on my 4kq for a while for my winter tires....
Finally got a set of dedicated snows...cheap Sears tires...HUGE difference!! quattro with snows is unreal.
12-12-2003, 08:32 PM
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max pressure has more to do with sidewalls
all season is really a comment on tread design. the maximum pressure tends to go up with the speed rating as the higher rated tires ie V vs H vs S squirm less so they manage heat better and heat raises the pressure. Best thing to do is to read the sidewall and stay at least 3 psi below that - which is roughly what the cold to hot pressure change is.